Neuropathy Stats From National Poll

Today's post from looks at the results of a Neuropathy Association, American poll concerning neuropathy and it doesn't make for reassuring reading. The length of time between reporting neuropathy symptoms and having the disease confirmed via testing is still ridiculously long. When you think that most people with neuropathy don't go to their doctors until the symptoms become uncomfortable and interfere with normal life, then the period is extended even further. It goes to show that doctors are still not taking patient accounts and experience seriously enough - after all, the symptoms of neuropathy are mostly unlike any other. After an initial diagnosis, only the cause and neuropathy type remain to be confirmed.

National Poll Shows Delayed Diagnosis, Inadequate Pain Care, and Distressing Life Changes Plague Millions With Neuropathy
New York, NY (PRWEB) May 14, 2012

A new national Neuropathy Association poll of peripheral neuropathy patients finds that the majority of respondents experience an extended period of time from symptom onset to diagnosis of their neurological disease, with 57% taking two or more years to receive an accurate diagnosis. In addition to facing delays in receiving a diagnosis that might help prevent disease progression and provide early access to appropriate care and treatment, close to 50% of these patients have been told their neuropathy is idiopathic (of an unknown cause). A large majority70%of patients experience chronic neuropathic (nerve) pain for which they use multiple therapies, and nearly half say they are challenged in coping with neuropathys impact on their overall well-being and quality of life.

With the potential for millions of Americans to suffer from neuropathys progressive chronic pain and disability, the U.S. is currently unprepared to face a major public health crisis if healthcare providers, the media, and public policy officials continue to ignore the inadequacy of medical resources and research funding for neuropathy, observes Tina Tockarshewsky, president and CEO of The Neuropathy Association.

Peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage, impacts over 20 million Americans (or 1 in 15), making it one of the most common chronic diseases and a leading cause of adult disability. Neuropathy results from injury to the peripheral nerves, disrupting the bodys ability to communicate with its muscles, organs, and tissues. With early diagnosis, it can often be controlled and quality of life restored. If ignored, symptoms can intensify to loss of sensation, weakness, unremitting pain, and/or disability.

The Neuropathy Associations national survey of 1,922 patients asked about the length of time between symptoms and confirmed neuropathy diagnosis, revealing 57% took two or more years and 43% took less than two years to diagnose.

While early intervention and treatment can be critical to slowing disease progression, our biggest challenge is many Americans still do not know about neuropathy, are unaware they have it, and do not recognize warning signs. Too often neuropathy is discovered after irreversible nerve damage has occurred. notes Dr. Thomas H. Brannagan, III, medical advisor for The Neuropathy Association.

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